What Explains the Carcass Field Processing and Transport Decisions of Contemporary Hunter-Gatherers? Measures of Economic Anatomy and Zooarchaeological Skeletal Part Representation

Abstract

This paper uses rationale derived from central place foraging models to explore the factors that guide the carcass processing and transport decisions of modern hunters. Using data derived from butchering experiments, I test different economic indices that purportedly reflect the field processing and transport decisions of contemporary African Hadza hunter-gatherers. The results show that no single index predicts part processing and transport for the species examined in this analysis. Processing and transport decisions are, however, patterned in ways that are consistent with theoretical predictions. While similar processes likely guide carcass treatment and transport decisions among all hunter-gatherers, different ecological, social, and historical constraints define the range of solutions to problems involving carcass treatment. In this specific example, intertaxonomic differences in carcass size and bone properties constrain how the trade-offs between field processing and transport costs are resolved. I conclude by suggesting ways in which analysts might make use of central place foraging rationale and models to explain variation in skeletal representation and abundances across time and space.

Of Buffalo and Butchers: Coupling Traditional Procurement Studies with Taphonomic Analyses to Explore Intensive Wild Animal Processing Patterns at Two Early Iron Age Sites in the Kruger National Park

“…Rixson ( 1989 ) describes such chopping as a quick method for separating the major muscle groups and more meat-heavy rib blades from the vertebral column. However, there is still a lack of the additional fine-scale cuts that would have been needed to fully strip the meat present along the spine (e.g., Bunn et al 1988 ;Frison 1970 ;Lupo 2006 ). Therefore, there seem to be distinctly differential efforts in the butchering of these carcasses.…”

“…Such dismemberment may have occurred at a variety of different stages in the processing sequence. Some chopping may have been part of the original portioning of the carcass to facilitate transport to site (e.g., Bunn et al 1988 ;Lupo 2006 ). There would have been additional disarticulation during preparation sequences as well, when bones and regions are first separated from one another and then de-fleshed and/or broken open for their marrow (e.g., Seetah 2006a , b ).…”

“…Explaining this assertion requires consideration of the different physiological structures of skeletal regions. The appendicular regions (i.e., limbs) of the carcass can be wholly stripped of meat quickly and with relatively few strokes (e.g., Lupo 2006 ). Conversely, had the axial elements been similarly-and thoroughly-de-fleshed, one could expect far more butchery damage, as the complex shape of the elements necessitate both greater time and processing effort (e.g., Bunn et al 1988 ;Lupo 2006 ).…”

“…The appendicular regions (i.e., limbs) of the carcass can be wholly stripped of meat quickly and with relatively few strokes (e.g., Lupo 2006 ). Conversely, had the axial elements been similarly-and thoroughly-de-fleshed, one could expect far more butchery damage, as the complex shape of the elements necessitate both greater time and processing effort (e.g., Bunn et al 1988 ;Lupo 2006 ). Yet this is not the case here: cutting (a main de-fleshing mark) in particular is either no more frequent in the axial elements than the limbs (as in Le7a and Le7b) or is far less frequent in the axial elements (Le6).…”

Explotación de myocastor coypus en el extremo meridional de la cuenca del plata durante el holoceno tardio

“…El aprovechamiento de los recursos faunísticos por parte de grupos cazadores-recolectores involucra una secuencia de tácticas y actividades que incluyen su procuramiento, transporte, procesamiento, preparación, consumo y descarte final. Gran parte de estas conductas implican una desorganización anatómica progresiva de las presas y dependen de numerosos factores tales como, la tecnología disponible para su obtención, procesamiento y consumo, los medios de movilidad disponibles, el tamaño y el numero de integrantes de la partida de caza, la distancia a recorrer, el grado de movilidad residencial y tiempo de permanencia en los asentamientos, el tamaño de la presa y la cantidad de animales cazados que hay que procesar, entre otros aspectos (ver Binford 1978, Lyman 1987, 1992, O'Connell et al 1988, Gifford-González 1989, Emerson 1993, Oliver 1993, Kelly 1995, Lupo 2006, entre muchos otros).…”